Workgroup Problem (XP Home)

Hi

We have a user who is trying to setup a Workgroup using 2 PCs running XP Home Edition.
He's using 2 belkin 802.11g Network cards, which are displaying OK in the Notification Area. IEEE is checked.
In the LAN properties, the following are enabled:
* Client for Microsoft Networks
* File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
* QoS Packet Scheduler
* TCP/IP (Obtain IP and DNS automatically)

However, when he clicks on 'My Network Places' -> Entire Network -> MS Windows Network -> Workgroup, the 2 PCs will only display in the Workgroup on 1 PC at a time (ie, alternating!), but clicking on the networked PC states that it is unable to retrieve information, etc, Check with the Network Administrator, etc.

He has previously had the Network up-and-running, but he reinstalled Windows, and now it won't get past this point.

Between us, we have removed the Network Cards and reinstalled them, we've run the Network Wizard 4 times, each time setting a new Workgroup name, but nothing we do can get the 2 PCs to see each other simultaneously, and they certainly won't show the shared folders, printers, etc.

Does it seem like we're missing something? Has anyone any clue as to why this could be happening? We're stumped and frustrated.

Re: Workgroup Problem (XP Home)

Thanks for posting Dave.

Yes. I made sure the ICF was off. I thought a Firewall might be the problem too. No other Firewall is installed on either PC.
The Shares are automatically setup when the Home Networking Wizard runs, which it has done about 8 times! LOL! (Well, it would be funny if it weren't so frustrating).
Workgroup: Yes. I changed the workgroup each time on each machine. Tested it. Ran the Wizard again; chose a different Workgroup Name on each PC; checked the connection; repeated this process twice more. [img]/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif[/img]
Computer Name: Yes, each PC has a different Computer Name, e.g., David. Neil. Then I tried David1. Neil1. PC1. David1. etc, etc.

As I mentioned, the workgroup does appear on one PC, but as soon as you reboot, the other PC gets the workgroup, and it becomes invisible on the rebooted PC????

Re: Workgroup Problem (XP Home)

When you say you changed the Work Group on each Machine, you do mean you made the Work Group name the same on each Machine, Right? Also when I set mine up I had to set Printer, Files and Documents and such up as Share, it was not Automatic. Also see the Local Area Connection Properties Box below, you will see what I use. Also TCP/IP is there you just can't see it. I have three Computers Networked and I have never had any problems at all.

Re: Workgroup Problem (XP Home)

Yes. I changed the workgroup on each PC. The first time, both PCs were part of the OFFICE workgroup. The second time, they were both part of the 'MSHOME' workgroup; the third time, they were both part of the TEST Workgroup, etc???

The Network you set up at home. Are you on XP? Because, the Folders and Printers are definitely set to Shared by the XP Home Networking Wizard (the hand holding the Folder appears on the appropriate Folders after the Wizard has run; it also actually says at the end of the Wizard that it's done that).

Re: Workgroup Problem (XP Home)

Yeah I have WinXP Pro. I can't remember but I thought I had to set Sharing up, but if the Hand is there it is set for share. Did you add those things I had in the box above? Also are you running a Network Hub or are your computers hooked up directly to one computer with two Ethernet Cards and if so are you useing a Crossover Cable? When you ran the Wizard which connection option did you use? Read this post <!post=Networking,234651>Networking<!/post>

Re: Workgroup Problem (XP Home)

I don't think you would need two identical users, probably on the contrary. However did you try to set Simple file sharing on boh machines. I don't know if tis is available in XP Home, I do have that in XP Pro. Go to Windows Explorer, Folder Options, View and at the bottom of the list turn on Simple File sharing.

Re: Workgroup Problem (XP Home)

As it turned out, the user had ZoneAlarm installed prior to *reinstalling XP*. Obviously the fresh installation of Windows didn't overwrite old programs, it must just update Windows itself. As such, ZoneAlarm was still installed and running, although transparent to the user (no splash screen; not listed in 'All Programs' on the Start Menu; and not visible in the System Tray/Notification Area???

However, if you went into Add/Remove Programs, ZoneAlarm was listed and (obviously still running at Start-up). The program was therefore uninstalled, and the Network now operates as before.

Anyway, thanks for all your help and time; it was greatly appreciated.